Building for the future

Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Physical changes are continuing at the former Wakefield Furniture Building as its new ownership – the Westmoreland Museum – implements a window sponsorship program in an effort to help fund renovation efforts there.

Representatives of the museum opened their doors on Oct. 6 to welcome the public and shared some new plans during the annual Montross Fall Festival.

Some changes are coming for the Westmoreland County Museum in Montross. Recently some work completed on the Wakefield Furniture Building.

As part of the museum’s efforts to fund an expansion into the former Wakefield Furniture Building on Kings Highway, the directors are taking immediate action to renovate the windows and offer members of the public the chance to sponsor them.

“We are asking people to buy a window for themselves, to help the museum or they can do it in memory of someone,” said Chairman Susan Ripol, of the museum’s board of directors. “I think this is a good way to know exactly where your money is going if you want to donate to the museum.”

The chairman added that the cost of sponsoring a window averages out to $350 and there are a total of 29, four-pane windows to choose from.

Ripol said her board is planning a number of other renovation fundraising projects as well and that any monetary support would be appreciated.

“It’s coming along really nicely now and I would like you to come and see what’s going on,” Ripol said. “We’re really excited about what’s happening.”

Local artist Phil McKenney loaned his hand on the project in that for every window sold, a leaf will be painted outside for the public to see.

“At the Fall Festival, the building showed a new face. We had our general store set up and the kids played in our schoolroom setting and walked through the lower building to see all the work we have done,” said Alice French, educational program director of the Westmoreland Museum and Visitor’s Center.

Contributions may be sent to: Westmoreland County Museum- Windows P.O. Box 247 Montross, VA 22520. For more information, email wcmuseum@verizon.net or call 804-493-8440.